A feat of engineering, the Snowy Mountains Electric Scheme is a highlight of Australian history. In Brad Collis’ book, he explores the historical context of this important moment, which established a young Australia in the global construction industry.
This recommendation comes to you from Jason Smith, Program Director at the Australian Automobile Association. For Jason, the appeal of this book lies not just in the way it captures a crowning achievement for Australian engineering, but how it tells the story of survivors from opposing sides of WWII coming together to build a community and a bastion of history and technological advancement.
“I purchased the book with an interest in the engineering. However, what struck me was how a huge number of people were brought together, from across the world with vastly different backgrounds (some of which were on opposing sides of a war just years prior), to work and live side-by-side to build something many said couldn’t be done.” – Jason Smith
If you’re into historical non-fiction, this book is for you! Join us as we review “Snowy: The Making of Modern Australia” and dive into Aussie history!
BUILDING HISTORY
Author Brad Collis is no stranger to writing science and technology books against the backdrop of history. Snowy is no exception to this unique blend of topics of interests. Engineering and history buffs will find themselves immersed in post-war Australia, discovering the unique circumstances that lead to the conception and construction of the Snowy Mountains Scheme.
For a brief background, the scheme was conceived of by the Commonwealth in the late 40s in post-WW2 Australia. The governments of New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia put forth their own proposals and contributions during a discussion on the Australian Alps as water supply and irrigation. The state governments were at a conflict, each with their own suggestion on how to develop the flow of the alps towards the Murray or Murrumbidgee Rivers. Meanwhile, the Commonwealth Government, upon evaluating and discussing with Australian state governments, proposed that the alps would be better used as a broad resource.
Prime Minister Ben Chifley had just the idea. He recruited Minster of Works, Nelson Lemmon, and engineer Sir William Hudson to build his vision of a mega-project that would change Australia for the better. Thus, the Snowy Mountains Hydro-Electric Power Act 1949 was presented to the Federal Parliament and the Snowy Mountains Hydroelectric Authority was created.
Now that the paperwork was out of the way, all that was left to worry about was the manpower required to build such an ambitious project. Appointed as the project’s Chief Engineer, sir William Hudson, initially employed 32 immigrants from post-war Europe. The migration of these WWII survivors unknowingly helped develop Australia into the cultural melting pot it is today. Over the course of 25 years, the number grew to 100,000 workers, mostly comprised of immigrants from more than 30 countries.
CONSTRUCTING CULTURE
“It’s a story of character and an example of how different personalities, strengths, and different ways of thinking can come together to deliver great things.” – Jason Smith
Rarely does the regular person think about the impact of everyday things on history. The Snowy Mountains Electric Scheme rests in the background of Australia’s power grid and history but who would have thought that its construction would change the landscape of Australia’s cultural future?
Not only is this the story of connecting distant people, but it also tells the tale of how people can achieve the impossible. The Snowy began merely as a vision but is now lauded as the largest engineering project in Australia.
The journey to building Chifley’s vision was neither easy nor brief. It took 25 years of long, arduous labour from its manpower. All the while, its workers are building their own lives and community while committed to the project. Brad Collis goes in-depth when writing of this 25-year journey. In his book, his details his findings with maps, pictures, technical drawings, and adds a human touch to a feat of science and technology.
HISTORY IS OUR STORY
A story such as Snowy’s is a triumphant reminder of what humanity can accomplish when united. Not just a simple history lesson, Brad Collis’ book serves as inspiration for those times we feel defeated, stuck, or overwhelmed by life’s challenges. Give this book a read if you need hope to get you through challenging times.
We’d like to thank Jason Smith for his wonderful contribution, and we wish our readers a fruitful and happy read!
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